Best Hawaiian Island for Families in 2024: Pros and Cons with Rankings

The Hawaiian Islands are some of the planet’s most beautiful and remote islands. In this post, I reveal the best Hawaiian islands for families and provide you with the pros & cons of each island with rankings (Oahu, The Big Island, Maui, and Kauai).

 

#1 Oahu: The Heart of Hawaii

Oahu is the “Heart of Hawaii” and is considered the central hub of the other islands. This is the first island I ever visited, and I have to tell you it definitely delivers on every front. There are lots of places to see, eat, and enjoy. If you could only visit one of the Hawaiian Islands with your kids, Oahu would be it.

Pros and Cons of Oahu for Families

Pros:

• Cheaper flights with most options

Most kid-friendly resorts

There are plenty of attractions to keep the kids busy.

Cons:

• More crowded and fast-paced
• Fewer options for VRBO and Airbnb
• Most traffic

Top Family Activities in Oahu:

1.    Visit Pearl Harbor and Battleship USS Missouri

2.    Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center for The Best Luau on the Islands

3.    Hike Diamond Head (great for kids and adults of any age)

4.    Visit the Dole Pineapple Plantation

5.    Check out the North Shore

Recommended Family Resorts in Oahu:

1.    Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa

2.    Marriot’s Ko Olina Beach Club

3.    Turtle Bay at Northshore

#2 The Big Island: Hawaii’s Island of Adventure

The “Big Island” of Hawaii is highly underrated. It is the largest and most diverse of the islands. While there, you can feel like you’re on the desolate moon at one moment and then in a tropical rainforest just minutes later.

Pros and Cons of Kauai for Families

Pros:

• Lots of family-friendly adventures
• Slower slower-paced than Oahu or Maui
• There are more options online to rent a beach house if you want to experience more of a local vibe.

Cons:

• Less places to eat depending on where you are on the island.
• Tourist attractions are more spread out, but there is very little traffic.

Unforgettable Family Activities on the Big Island:

1.    Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

2.    Mauna Kea Stargazing Tour

3.    Attend a Luau

4.    Take a Helicopter Tour

5.    Swim with Manta Rays at Night

Ideal Family Resorts on the Big Island

1.    Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

2.    Hilton Waikoloa Village

3.    The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

#3 Maui: Hawaii’s Valley Isle

I took my kids to Maui in 2019, and it was an etched memory that we will never forget. It is a little slower-paced than Oahu but still has plenty to do to keep you busy. It’s a good mix of all the islands and plenty of activities for you to do with kids, especially if you have tweens or teens.

Pros and Cons of Maui for Families

Pros:

• Good mix of activities (beaches, adventure, hiking, etc.)
• Beautiful beaches and scenery
• Lots of attractions
• Great for teens and grandparents

Cons:

• Slower-paced than Oahu
• Portions of the west side of the island are closed due to the devastating Lahaina wildfires.
• Ka’anapali Beach will re-open for tourists on October 8^th, 2023

Fun-filled Family Activities in Maui:

1. The Road to Hana

Sunrise and Biking Tour at Haleakala (for the teens)

Whale Watching

Best Family-Friendly Resorts in Maui

1. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa
2. Marriot’s Wailea Beach Resort
3. Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

#4 Kauai: The Garden Isle

Kauai is the perfect island to visit if you want something that feels a little bit more laid back. It is definitely a paradise for a family of outdoor enthusiasts. With lush rainforests and scenic trails, there are many things to do depending on your family’s fitness and experience levels. It has beautiful beaches and lots of outdoor adventures.

Pros and Cons of Kauai for Families

Pros:

• Best Hikes and exploring
• Slower paced than Oahu or Maui
• More options online to rent a beach house if you want to experience more of a local vibe

Cons:

• Tend to see fewer tourists and families here.
• Not as many typical tourist types of attractions
• Traffic in Kapaa

Exciting Family Adventures in Kauai:

• Snorkel Anini Beach
• Explore Waimea Canyon (The Grand Canyon of the Pacific)
• Best Shave Ice on the islands with natural flavors
• Surfing lessons in Hanalei Bay
• Napali Cost Boat Tour

Top Rated Family Resorts in Kauai

1. Sheraton Kaui Coconut Beach Resort
2. Marriot’s Kauai Beach Club
3. Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay
4. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hawaiian Island for Your Family Vacation:

• What kind of activities do you plan to enjoy?

Are you into sightseeing, adventure activities, and water sports, or do you want to hang out on the beaches and relax in the resort’s amenities?

What are your kid’s ages, and what activities can they participate in?

Although I had to give Oahu the #1 spot for the best Hawaiian Island for families, each one of these islands has a special place in my heart. You really can’t go wrong, as all four of these islands have so many things to offer everyone at any age.